Microsoft confirms next version of Windows to support ARM chips

Microsoft today confirmed that the next version of Windows will support ARM-based computer chips, which are common in low-power, portable devices such as tablet PCs.

New support for so-called System on a Chip (SoC) architecture should help Microsoft extend its ubiquitous operating system to more mobile devices — something the Redmond-based company must do to successfully compete with the Apple iPad and tablets running Google’s Android OS.

Today at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Microsoft demoed the next version of Windows but would not allow video of the presentation. Windows division President Steven Sinofsky showed the upcoming operating system running on ARM platforms from NVIDIA, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments, and on the currently supported x86 architecture from Intel.

“What we showed today was a technology preview of how Windows can adapt to run on SoC architectures,” Sinofsky said in a Q&A on Microsoft’s press website. “We are making this announcement now to enable our silicon partners, including new ARM partners, to collaborate across the ecosystem to bring innovation to market with the next version of Windows. We’re hard at work on all the aspects of the next version of Windows and we’ll share more information when the time is right.”

ARM-based chips fuel most smart phones and many portable devices, but most personal computers use Intel’s more power-hungry chips. System on a Chip architecture, as its name suggests, compacts components onto one piece of silicon, allowing for smaller hardware.

Microsoft did not announce any dates for Windows 8 availability. More information is coming soon.